MILAN, Ill. (KWQC) – The University of Illinois Extension celebrated its 50th anniversary of its Illinois Master Gardener program on Wednesday.
Organizers said for five decades, Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have been transforming communities through their dedication to horticulture education and service.
In Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties, 97 active Master Gardeners provide nearly 5,000 volunteer hours annually, sharing their knowledge through workshops, garden shows, help lines, demonstration gardens, and more.
“Our Master Gardener program is essentially a volunteer outreach program. We train volunteers on gardening information of all kinds, and then we ask them to go out into the community and share that information, so they teach the community through a variety of different projects,” Candice Anderson, State Master Gardener Specialist, said.
97 active Master Gardeners provide nearly 5,000 volunteers hours, share their gardening knowledge, provide help lines, demonstrations and more.
One volunteer says it’s all about passing on the knowledge to future generations.
“Being able to teach my daughter what I’ve learned through the Master Gardener Program is wonderful. Today I got to watch her pot a plant in our first activity, and nobody had to tell her; she already knows, so she knows more than I did at her age, and I’m sure she’s going to be able to recognize the importance of this type of program in the community,” said Barb Fuller, Master Gardener Volunteer—University of Illinois Extension Office.
Organizers say that, as the cost of groceries continues to fluctuate, growing your own food is said to have benefits for your overall well-being.
“They can lower their costs by growing their own food, and it’s just great for your health. Mental health, physical health to get our there and garden, so I think, like I said, during Covid, people saw the benefit of it and have just kind of continued, which is awesome,“ Anderson said.
Tracy Jo Mulliken, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator, says, knowing where your food comes from is so important.
“What chemicals have been put on it, and all of those types of things, that’s very important. To know where it comes from and to have access to it. I mean, I’ve gone into a grocery store before looking for radishes, and, oh goodness, they’re out, so having that and just the success and the pride,” Mulliken said.
Rising food costs are now the top concern for Iowa grocery shoppers, according to a new survey from the Iowa Farm Bureau.
80% said they are concerned about government regulations that have increased food costs. Nearly half said they were “very concerned.”
Grocery prices jumped 23.6% from 2020 to 2024, according to the USDA Consumer Price Index.
As a result, the Farm Bureau says more Iowans are turning directly to farmers for their food. Nearly 7 in 10 Iowans have bought groceries directly from farmers through their websites, farm stores or farmers markets.
“It’s just life-changing, honestly, to see just the awesome work that these volunteers do. They will put in hundreds of hours a year to help people in their communities, and it’s just amazing to see the amazing work they do out there in the community,” Anderson said.
Overall, the University of Illinois Extension office is just proud of what they’ve accomplished in 50 years.
“You get to be involved at Bald Eagle Days and just so many events in the community, and I think that’s what draws me in, and plus I learned so much with continuing education that I can apply and even share with my daughter,” Fuller said.
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